Review: Hunting Lila by Sarah Alderson

Title: Hunting Lila (Lila #1)
Author: Sarah Alderson
Published: August 4, 2011
Pages: 320
Series: Lila
Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: 17-year-old Lila has two secrets she's prepared to take to the grave. The first is that she can move things just by looking at them. The second is that she's been in love with her brother's best friend, Alex, since forever. After a mugging exposes her unique ability, Lila decides to run to the only people she can trust - her brother and Alex. They live in Southern California where they work for a secret organisation called The Unit, and Lila discovers that the two of them are hunting down the men who murdered her mother five years before. And that they've found them. In a world where nothing and no one is quite as they seem, Lila quickly realises that she is not alone - there are others out there just like her - people with special powers -and her mother's killer is one of them…


**REVIEW**
I liked the characters. I had fun reading about Jack, Alex, and Lila as a trio and was intrigued by The Unit. I really enjoyed Lila's relationship and interaction with her brother which made Jack's reaction when finding out about Lila's ability not very believable or consistent with his character or "loving brother" persona.

The whole Lila / Alex deal was entertaining, until all things Alex and all his details or words or how much she wanted him started to resemble a slight obsession. It was too distracting.

The funny thing is, why I liked Alex was also the reason why I didn't feel that him and Lila were a believable match. Alex was mature and cool-headed. And Lila felt too young and stubborn in comparison. I could definitely see why she'd be infatuated with him, but I couldn't see him having romantic feelings for her, at all. It just didn't match up.

The storyline was promising and the plot twist interesting, however, a little too convenient for my taste. Because [SPOILER ALERT: the bad guys turning out to bet he good guys just as the protagonist is captures, isn't too exciting.]

And I gradually just ended up losing interest in the story.

'Hunting Lila' is an entertaining read for those looking to read a girl-likes-boy kind of book with supernatural abilities and little action scenes.

I won't continue the 'Lila' series as of now but will check out more of Alderson's books.

(3/5)

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Title: The Selection (#1)
Author: Kiera Cass
Published: April 24, 2012
Pages: 336
Series: The Selection
Source: purchased

Goodreads Summary: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.


**REVIEW**

It was okay.

I was excited to finally give 'The Selection' a shot, unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. I was most astonished about the lightness of the story - it was easy, breezy, and girly. I'd call this a chick-lit any day over dystopia.

I found the idea of actual ranks in the society quite interesting but it didn't seem to mean much except for determine a person's wealth, or lack thereof, and attitude (the richer were snottier.)
Did they live amongst each other or was it divided? Were there certain rules and laws in favor for or against you depending on your caste? Why was it that the castes had to stick to their specific line of occupations? Etc.

My guess is that most of those rating this book three stars or less had hopes for the dystopia, world-building, or riveting plot, which 'The Selection' did not deliver.

I was shocked to get halfway through the book and realizing the story had basically been about the protagonist, America, just walking around and talking to people. The entire book turned out to be about her just walking around and talking to people. In other words; nothing happened. There was no high point, no low point, no plot.

The rebels attacked and everyone would just sit in a room and wait it out. Everyone is in grave danger and people are crying or passing out, but they're essentially just sitting in a room. The reader is told about the danger, but never get to experience it. Cass could've given the story a kick if she'd chosen a less convenient route in these matters.

America enters the Selection to help her family, making it clear she's there against her will and dislikes the whole thing, though, I don't agree it conveyed in her behavior. She was very inconsistent, seemingly unable to make up her mind about things. Though, generally calm, she'd suddenly be rude or dramatic towards Maxon.

Maxon being a character I just could not connect with or really find a reason to like. I didn't see Maxon the handsome prince, I saw an awfully formal, one-dimensional teenage boy. I couldn't find anything alluring about him at all.

And we have Aspen rounding up the love triangle. I don't prefer reading about protagonists with boyfriends, simply because you, as the reader, don't get to fall in love along with the heroine.
Instead, you're already supposed to like him, which isn't a given you will. And I didn't necessarily. Not because Aspen wasn't okay, but because I never knew why America and Aspen were good together. I didn't see it and I wasn't told about it. They just were.

So America loves Aspen with all her being and might be falling for Maxon, and I have no idea why this is or how it's come about. None of it was convincing for me.

The book and the writing was okay, it just featured a much underdeveloped story with an uneventful plot. I won't be continuing the trilogy but would still recommend 'The Selection' as a beach read.

(3/5)

Review: Revival (The Variant Series #1) by Jena Leigh

Title: Revival (#1)
Author: Jena Leigh
Published: November 14, 2012
Pages: 282
Series: The Variant
Source: purchased

Goodreads summary: Possessing the uncanny ability to fry a television set from twenty paces can really wreck a girl’s social life.

If you’re looking for proof, just ask sixteen-year-old Alexandra Parker. After catching her boyfriend in the arms of the prettiest girl in school, she made the journey from social elite to social pariah in a haze of electricity and exploding electronics. But finding herself at the bottom of Bay View High’s social hierarchy was nothing compared to the shock of discovering who—and what—she really is.

After being zapped out of a burning bookstore by the mysterious Declan—a hero nearly as handsome as he is infuriating—Alex finds herself under the protection of the powerful Grayson family. It’s through them that she learns the truth: that the world she’s always known is nothing like it appears to be... and that she has far more in common with them than she might want to believe.

Now, on the run from a fire-wielding hit man and a secretive government organization, Alex must navigate a strange and treacherous new world filled with superhuman mutants known as Variants. As she begins to unravel the many secrets of her family’s past, she uncovers the real reason for her parents’ death twelve years earlier—and finds out that the threat to her family, and to everyone she cares about, is still dangerously real.

**REVIEW**

The first thing about 'Revival' that got my attention was the quality writing - Leigh has a smooth and natural writing style. I liked it a lot. Her point came across easily and the writing just felt very thought-out and uncluttered. The storyline flowed, having the perfect mixture of intrigue, banter, and the supernatural.

I enjoyed the fun parts as much as the serious ones and how Leigh kept the story balanced between the two. 

'Revival' was shortly narrated from different character's third-person point-of-view (but mostly the main character, Alexandra) and I loved it, which I rarely, if ever, do. It gave the story so many layers and I cared to get to know the other characters because they were all so darn likable!

There are many character involved and they're all interesting and substantial in their own way. I was curious of John Grayson's story and enjoyed reading about the Grayson family in general. I even liked the villain because he was so solid.

Although Alexandra and Declan spend some time together and are clearly attracted to each other, there wasn't really more than sweet or suggesting moments, and a pinch of jealousy involving Nathan. It was all innocent and subtle.

As mentioned, I found all characters likable, however, when it came to a potential romance I'm glad Leigh didn't pursue it. The entire book is set over a period of a week. A single week. So it wasn't realistic for any characters to develop feelings for each other.

There were some unexpected twists in the story and intriguing revelations. My only problem was that there wasn't a climax. The whole story just goes evenly. I was sure that no matter how late in the book, something shocking would occur (well, it had to?), but it never did.

The awfully small and short conflict at the very end (regarding the secret government organization) was disappointing, consisting of a conversation, easily resolved by a little talking back and forth. Yes, talking - not exactly what I'd expected.

There are also a lot of unanswered questions when the book ends, threads that's been pulled throughout the story but that still hang loose. I hope the sequel will catch you up and give you more of a conclusive experience when you finish it.

Other than that, 'Revival' was entertaining and enjoyable. Definitely look out for this author.

3.9/5

Review: Branded (A Sinners Series #1) by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

Title: Branded (#1)
Author: Abi Ketner, Missy Kalicicki
Published: June 27, 2013
Pages: 320
Series: Sinners
Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. 
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. 

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. 

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.
The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. 
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. 
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

**REVIEW**

I was so intrigued by 'Branded' and the premise, and curious how the authors would execute telling a story set in the worst of prisons. All I could see was Lexi locked up in a cell and the occasional conversation with a guard - and somehow they will fall in love.

Well, firstly, the Hole isn't like any other prison; besides the requirement to work, Sinners pretty much roam free to abuse and slaughter each other. Everyone wants a piece of Lexi, guards and inmates alike - not only is she very pretty (as we are reminded) but "Lust" is branded around her neck which makes her an obvious target.

As I was starting to realize, there had to be a really good reason for Lexi even lasting a few pages in the Hole.

There was a convenient one, at least. Not only is she locked up in a cell but she is assigned a personal guard who lives, full-time, in an adjoining room (which is pretty much a studio apartment). The door separating their rooms was never once locked and the guard she gets happens to be one of the only ones that would never think of doing anything horrible to her. So it was somewhere around here (which is in the first couple of chapters) that I started to scrutinize.

I really, really, really wished Cole (guard and love interest) had been more of a believable character.

"They [the guards] are chosen from a young age and trained in combat. They keep the order of society by using violent methods of intimidation. No one befriends a guard. Relationships with them are forbidden inside the Hole."

"I should know the hardest and most proficient guards work in here."

"Guards aren't supposed to be human. They're supposed to suck the life out of sinners and enforce the laws of the commander."

Except for him being snappy, he was never intimidating or outright cold, which is the least I would've expected from a guard, especially since every other guard (with the convenient exception of his best friend) were disgusting, unsympathetic assholes.

Cole and Lexi were instantly way too casual around each other. I was surprised how much they talked the first day they get to the cell, and that Lexi even gets up in the middle of the night to tell him she can't sleep (again, the door between the cell and Cole's room might as well have been a wide open gap in the wall) and asks if she can keep her light on, in which he replies, "Whatever."

Second day in the Hole:

"He offers his hand and pulls me upright with a smug look [after she trips]. I groan as embarrassment crawls up my face in the form of a deep, crimson flush."

Same day when under attack:

"Just leave me," I whisper into his ear..

"Never," he says in a short gasp.

Same day when safe, Lexi thanks Cole for saving her life:

"Uh, yeah." His cheeks turn a shade of pale pink.

Definitely not what I would've expected from a terrified eighteen-year-old girl who's just been thrown in a hellhole where every other person threatens to rape her, and one of the most skilled guards in there. How they behaved towards each other was incredibly unnatural and absolutely nothing had led up to it.

My main issue was that the love happened too fast without any reasonable build-up. They cared for each other before you had the chance to care for either one of them or even really get to know them. I liked the characters but they didn't live up to how they were portrayed.

Other than that, there were several semi-slow, uneventful moments for me. The story dragged a bit in the first half of the book when nothing too significant happened; there was no excitement that had me eagerly turn the pages. There is some action later on but it ended up not being as conflicted as it could've been. If you really enjoy the relationship between Cole and Lexi you probably won't have the same experience as me.

I'm curious how Ketner and Kalicicki will continue this series so if the sequel sounds promising, I might read it.

(3.3/5)

Review: The Defiance (#2) by A.G Henley

Title: The Defiance (#2)
Author: A.G Henley
Published: July 21, 2013
Pages: 207
Series: Brilliant Darkness (first installment, 'The Scourge')
Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: It hasn't been long since Fennel, a Sightless Groundling, and Peree, her Lofty Keeper, fell in love and learned the truth: the Scourge, and their world, are not what they seem.

Fenn and Peree are determined to guide their people to the protected village of Koolkuna, but first they must convince them that everything they believe is a lie. An impossible task, especially when someone seems hell-bent on trying anything--even animal sacrifice and arson--to destroy the couple's new bond and crush the frail truce between the Groundlings and the Lofties. Not everyone wants to uproot their lives in the forest, and those who stay behind will be left terribly vulnerable.

Fenn and Peree's resolve to be together, and the constant threat of the Scourge's return, push both groups to the breaking point. Unable to tell friend from foe, Fenn must again decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to ensure the future of the people of the forest.

Only this time, the price of peace may be too high to bear.

**REVIEW**

(Read my review of the first installment of the Brilliant Darkness series, here, first! Otherwise spoiler alert:)

From chapter one something unsettling occurs and puts the first half of the story in a slightly eerie light. Someone's out to get Fenn and you'll speculate if it's from the inside or the outside. This was where I was most frustrated that Fenn couldn't see and that this person terrorizing her was getting away with it so easily. 

However, I had an inkling that (not only who it was but) that it ultimately wasn't going to leave such a big dent in the storyline. It kept you on your toes and reminded you not to get too comfortable but it didn't really conflict the story the way it could have. By the time everything was revealed it didn't matter anymore (though there will be a little twist in the revelation.)

I had a huge problem with Moray. Who else. If you've read the first installment you'll know this character attempted rape and murder on Fenn. Prior to this, his family had threatened to kill Fenn's little brother and plotted against Fenn's "adoptive" mom, Aloe, whom was one of the Three.

These are quotes from 'The Defiance': "

".. He [Moray] didn't face any other consequences [except for a bitten tongue which Fenn caused him] for attacking me and leaving me to die in the ground.. Neither did his family.."

".. The new Council didn't have the will to really punish Moray's family after all our losses"

Reading this practically made me see red. What the actual what?! Unbelievable and unrealistic that a man capable of such horrid things was free to prance around being obnoxious and disgusting towards the victim and no one thinks twice about it.

Not only this but Moray is the one to get assigned to protect Fenn when she's working alone in the caves. Oh-kay.. clearly the fact that he'd forced himself on her, tied her up, and pushed her into a pit (that later filled with water) to die, means absolutely nothing.

All of this was just impossible for me to get past since Moray is in a lot of the story (even if he tried redeeming himself later on, it could never be enough.)

I actually really felt for Fenn's friendship with Calli and how her best friend had turned into someone she didn't know if she could trust anymore. But I rooted for Calli. And I loved Bear, he was so wonderful. Despite his feelings for Fenn, he was an amazing support and really made an impact on the story and in Fenn's life.

There were some superb character development, for sure.

Speaking of chosen. I'm not short of love for Peree. 'The Defiance' was definitely much more centered around the love between the Groundling and the Lofty and the people working against it. I couldn't help but wanting to scream, "Their love hurts no one!"

Fenn doesn't leave for Koolkuna until more than half of the book. I found that it was a little slow in the beginning because Fenn just kind of hangs around and gets into trouble when you want her to pack her things and just go and be free. However, when she's finally off I needed to read until the very end.

'The Defiance' definitely had some surprising, shocking, emotional, and heartwarming turns. I was satisfied with the ending even though it ended in an intriguing twist and I'll be waiting to read the third installment!

(3.5/5)

Review: The Light of the World by Tara Brown

Title: The Light of the World (#1)
Author: Tara Brown
Published: November 19, 2012
Pages: 360
Series: Light
Source: purchased
Good to know: explicit language

Amazon Summary: As if going off to college isn't hard enough, Rayne discovers she has other challenges beyond roommates or first-year workload. She discovers the fate of the world resting on her small shoulders, not to mention the creepy whispers that taunt her in her sleep each night. In the haze of her dreams she hears it, 'You're dead. You're dead and I just forgot to tell you.' The sentence is alarming in itself. Add to that, the voice whispering to her is her mother's, and you have a real nightmare. 

But what happens when the whispers in your sleep are warnings and the ghosts in the water are your friends? What happens when the guy you fall for freshman year is your family's oldest enemy? What happens when the only sleep you get is when you lie with the dead, and the only way to save yourself is to murder your parents? With the help of her new friends and old lovers, Rayne discovers her destiny has very little to do with midterms and more to do with the fate of humanity.


**REVIEW**
'The Light of the World' had a very interesting storyline.

I didn't like the first chunk of the story and still feel that if it'd been cut out of the book entirely (in other words, if the beginning had been done differently), it wouldn't have made a difference nor affected the storyline or the characters. We meet Rayne when she's just started college and meets her roommate, Mona, old friend, Michelle, and an annoying flirt, Wyatt.

This will be the key group of characters throughout the story and I have to say; some I were okay with and some I just never liked.

Rayne was okay. She wasn't a stupid girl, she had some backbone. But again, the beginning of the book just put everything in a distasteful light. There were so many, unnecessary sexual references and odd, unrealistic situations.
Rayne gets sick and stays and sleeps at a total stranger's dorm for two days which her "friends" find to be completely fine since he says he'll take care of her. What.

From one chapter to the other, very early on, two months has passed and Rayne has gone from okay to several degrees below that - carelessly sleeping around and partying, basically having hit her head.
Sure, she suffered from major heartbreak from a guy she barely knew but could not live or breathe without (oh how this bugged me; but all would later be explained). Though, I don't see why it was necessary for her to go through such a drastic change in personality. I just couldn't help but like her much, much less.

There was so little for you to hold onto in Rayne that made you relate to her and really like her as a character. I would've wished for more of Rayne's emotional thoughts, something that'd make you feel with her and understand her.

Mona was the good friend and support throughout the story, but hers and Rayne's friendship didn't grow on me, nor did Mona. She didn't have much substance and didn't bring anything to the story. The upside was that, without Mona, Rayne would've been running around for the majority of the book on her own, which would've been lonely (and, perhaps, boring.)

Rayne is supposed to have known Michelle since before, but there's literally nothing that makes you believe that they have been friends earlier.
Michelle having originally been Michael was interesting, cool, something new. But holy [insert choice of word] did I feel like this character had dropped from another planet to be in 'The Light of the World.' So out of place, irrelevant, and melodramatic.
Rayne's vision of their friendship was quite sappy, with little explanation as to why she loved Michelle so much.

[SPOILERS:] Even after Michelle had tortured her. With a sword. While she hung from the ceiling, arms dislocated. Yet again. Say what. And really, the whole thing about Michelle spontaneously deciding to stay at a church and become a nun (which we'll later learn did her absolutely no good. You'll see) was just, regretfully, comical. I was glad to get her out of the story for the moment. [SPOILERS ENDED.]

And Wyatt. This guy. Incredibly cocky and confident. I didn't like him and didn't want to like him, so it came as a shock that I ended up warming up to him (which I especially did when strange, uncanny Constantine came into the picture.)
What I didn't understand was the sudden "relationship" between Rayne and Wyatt. His kind was supposed to despise her but due to an unknown reason, he didn't. He just constantly wanted to make out, claiming he could never love something like her, but she knew he did. And she secretly loved him, too, when she wasn't hating on him. It was such a push-and-pull situation. Just... what is what, now?

She'd let Wyatt or Constantine be horrible to her and then call them up, laugh and joke, and claim to "need them."

This girl lacked some good sense.

[SPOILERS:] While in a dead-serious situation, having kidnapped a priest and tied him up to get answers, she STILL had the time and sense to recall her and Constantine's sexual past, and try to seduce him in the room. Really, just really.

She risked her life returning to Wyatt's home where his whole family wanted to kill her and had attempted so, after learning that he was planning on killing her as well, just to get a peek of him. I mean, come on! And it all ended up with her fleeing for her life, as expected. [SPOILERS ENDED.]

Also, there were multiple times that "he" and "him" were mentioned and you'd have no idea who Rayne was referring to until a page later. Sometimes it'd be Wyatt or Constantine or even her father or another random character; you had to guess back and forth. Is it Wyatt? I think so. No, wait. It could be Constantine. But I'm pretty sure it's Wyatt. Or Constantine. Oh, she's talking about her dad.

Throughout the entire story someone would be mentioned (Ellie this, Ellie that... who is that?) and things would happen without explanation until you, somewhere down the road, managed to connect the dots on your own.

And what was up with every single person cussing for no reason at all? "Shit" was said 57 times throughout the book, and "fuck" 32 times. I just had to look it up.

Yes. I had a lot of issues with the characters. I feel that they need a lot of work and love to be likable, strong characters.

The story was very fast-paced. Settings and situations would change abruptly. From one word to another, Rayne would be someplace else entirely and you wouldn't know if it was a dream or a new scene or if she'd plain out teleported. Sometimes it was hard to keep up and you'd find that the story was zooming in and out, flashing from left to right.

However, despite my rant (honestly, I had no idea how much I had to say about this book before I actually sat down and started writing this review). Believe it or not, I did enjoy 'The Light of the World.' It's an interesting, very intriguing storyline involving many supernatural elements - witches, vampires, faeries.

I didn't get invested or attached to the story, however, it kept my attention and had many unexpected turns. I really liked the idea of it (which my three points are for!) I think with adjustments and more work 'The Light of the World' could be really great.

(3/5)

Review: Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally

Title: Stealing Parker (#2)
Author: Miranda Kenneally
Published: October 1, 2012
Pages: 265
Series: Hundred Oaks
Source: purchased

Goodreads Summary: Parker Shelton pretty much has the perfect life. She’s on her way to becoming valedictorian at Hundred Oaks High, she’s made the all-star softball team, and she has plenty of friends. Then her mother’s scandal rocks their small town and suddenly no one will talk to her.

Now Parker wants a new life.

So she quits softball. Drops twenty pounds. And she figures why kiss one guy when she can kiss three? Or four. Why limit herself to high school boys when the majorly cute new baseball coach seems especially flirty?

But how far is too far before she loses herself completely?

**REVIEW**

I'd like to start off by pointing out that I read 'Stealing Parker' sporadically through a long period of time, sometimes going weeks between picking it up again.

I enjoyed 'Catching Jordan'  (Kenneally's debut) thoroughly and found myself so impressed by Kenneally's ability of incorporating such fresh characters into what we already know so well as the genre of "contemporary romance" where there's all too often familiar oh-I've-read-this-before characters involved.

I can't say 'Stealing Parker' lacked of interesting character ideas but from the get-go I had a hard time fitting the pieces.

Parker Shelton certainly was no bore in text; good Christian girl, star of the softball team, her school's valedictorian, victim of upsetting family scandals, and a wild flirt, are words to outwardly describe her. 

Between learning about Parker's faith and doubts as a Christian and her former devotion to church, her quitting softball due to her mother's unforgiving scandal of coming out as a lesbian (and leaving for another woman), and not only being an "infamous hook-up" but also getting involved with the new coach of the football team.. I couldn't help but look at this girl as a Rubik's Cube.

Parker had many strong sides and many personal stories to bring to the table, but at the end of the day it felt inconsistent and resembled trying to follow two completely different maps that'd been torn up and taped into to one.

The many sub-storylines in 'Stealing Parker' distracted me from whatever I was probably meant to pay more attention to and I ended up feeling like I was jumping around, not really knowing where to go or where to look.

Let's talk about Brian Hoffman already, the twenty-something-year-old football coach and forbidden love interest of Parker.

I just don't know. I was incredibly curious as to how Kenneally would work with the subject of a teacher-student relationship (which makes us cringe more than not). 

To our luck, Brian is young and assumed to be good-looking, but I couldn't comprehend how it even came about that Parker and Brian would take it to taboo grounds from the day that they first met, there wasn't much time between those two stops. Judging from the innocent flirting there wasn't anything that told me "oh, this is getting somewhere" before it suddenly did.

From the start I didn't particularly find an attraction to Brian, there was something about him that made me crinkle my nose or raise an eyebrow. May it be uncertainty or hesitation. Why was he doing this? What were his intentions? Was he using her?  There was a lot about the established relationship that neither made sense nor were clear to me. When things started to get raunchy I found myself wanting to take shelter.

For me, Brian did overshadow the story considering the other characters that could've been more relevant, such as Will and Drew who were still a big part of 'Stealing Parker' but not nearly as much as to attach me.

I rooted for Will, all the way. He was a real sweet guy. I was disappointed so little actually happened between him and Parker or had the chance to happen before it was cut short.

I wonder if I'd wanted to invest more emotions in the story if 'Stealing Parker' had only focused on one potential relationship and built to convince you of it - Parker and Brian or Parker and Will, instead it ended up feeling scattered and tangled.

'Stealing Parker' is a coming-of-age story dealing with many issues regarding family and friendship as well as faith and acceptance, and I'm sure it will hit home for a lot of people, just not for me this time.

(2.9/5)

Review: Stained by Ella James

Title: Stained (#1)
Author: Ella James
Published: September 14, 2011
Pages: 157
Series: yes (second installment 'Stolen' published April 4, 2012)
Source: grab

Goodreads Summary: After a fire destroys seventeen-year-old Julia’s home and kills her foster parents, she chases the half-demon responsible across the country and back, determined to avenge her family and discover why a host of celestial baddies want her dead. With Julia is enigmatic hottie - Cayne, who has his own score to settle with the half-demon, and who might be just as dangerous as the creature he and Julia hunt.


**REVIEW**
I'm just going to get right into it. 'Stained' started off with Julia coming home to see her home on fire and she flees, refusing to be placed under another foster care. 

Julia finds and sleeps in an old warehouse, under a tarp. She's all alone, with nothing left. It's made pretty clear from the start Suzanne and Harry, her last foster parents, were loving and caring and Julia considered them her parents. But what instantly could not be ignored by me was that Julia wasn't, in any noticeable way, upset or whatever it is that you are when you've witnessed your family burn to death. She didn't cry or hurt. It was all incredibly odd and unrealistic.

And it all just got to me more when Cayne (quite literally) dropped into Julia's life, through the roof of the warehouse, fighting a winged monster.
Julia, apparently perfectly fine from everything that's happened, runs after him and demands that he can't leave her and that he needs to answer her questions. 

When Cayne looked at her after having ignored her nagging, she went, "Ah, he's not catatonic!" and "Dang, you walk fast" - there was a little wit and a little sarcasm thrown in here and there from the girl who lost everything three days prior, the girl who (let's face it) should've been curled up in a corner shaking and crying, traumatized. It just irked me, I couldn't help it.

One minute Cayne is trying to get away and the next he gets an idea and they've agreed to team up and take Samyaza down (the demon that intended to kill Julia and whom stole something from Cayne), this arrangement was settled in the span of fifteen minutes or so it seemed. It was very sudden.

This is where the plot started to launch into action and soon Julia and Cayne finds themselves on a cross-country trip, tracking Samyaza. The story is fast-paced and there's a lot of good action - fighting, shooting, stabbing, and frankly a lot of blood.

There were a few encounters that were bewildering and unclear. I didn't understand why Samyaza would choose to fly away when he could've done more in attempt to kill Cayne or Julia, and it was never clear to me why the Stained ones were being hunted which I'm sure will be explored more in the later installments.

At first I experienced James's writing to be a bit bumpy and curt but I eventually found that I liked her nicely descriptive style. 
'Stained' is dialogue-driven and I did feel I'd wanted more of an emotional, personal depth to the characters. I didn't particularly connect with Cayne or Julia. I didn't feel like I knew them, who they were, or what they were really feeling.

Both of them had some split-personalities going on. Julia begged and pleaded to know Cayne's memories and out of nowhere, practically in the same sentence, told him it was okay if he didn't tell her. Cayne had stood his ground on not telling her and suddenly decided she should know. They were making all kinds of one-eighties. 

Another one of Julia's cases which almost had me laugh:
Julia: ".. why don't you just call André?" (so that she could go with him instead.)
A moment later. Cayne: "I called André.."
Julia: "But why?!" Hm..

Something would occur and when the next chapter came around it'd be unclear if the previous scene had really happened or how much time had passed since.

I hadn't expected the ending at all, only because it was such an out-of-the-blue end to a short book. Unfortunately the cliffhanger did not get to me. I failed to be intrigued by what was to come and I just hadn't been engrossed enough in 'Stained' to feel compelled to purchase the second installment. All-in-all it was a decent, okay read for me.

(3.2/5)

Review: Forever Mine by Elizabeth Reyes

Title: Forever Mine (The Moreno Brothers #1)
Author: Elizabeth Reyes
Published: September 6, 2010
Pages: 335
Series: The Moreno Brothers
Source: grab
Good to know: mature YA

Amazon Summary: Seventeen-year old Sarah's life is turned upside down when her single mom is sent to jail. She's forced to move, leaving behind everything she's ever known, including her best friend Sydney. Lost and bitter in a new school, her one goal is to save money and move back home. Then she meets Angel Moreno. 

Enigmatic but gorgeous, Angel is almost too good to be true. Except for one thing, his archaic belief that guys and girls can never be "just friends". The problem? Sarah's best friend Sydney is not a girl. 

With their unexpected romance intensifying to places neither ever experienced, how long can Sarah keep Angel in the dark about the guy waiting for her back home?

**REVIEW**

I knew exactly what I was getting myself into with 'Forever Mine.' It was a simple and entertaining read - dramatic yet easily digestible, something to read on-the-go.

It didn't take long for Sarah and Angel to find an interest in each other at all, it was pretty much an insta-attraction very early on in the book, you know, when you lay your eyes on the other person and just cannot stop thinking about them, forever burned in your mind. I mean, does that ever happen? I wish it did.

I found that it was so rushed in the beginning. It felt like Reyes wanted to push Sarah and Angel together as soon as possible and get the action started.
Only a couple of days after they first meet Angel wants to be "exclusive" with Sarah, wanting her all to himself. Well, it made me raise an eyebrow, like, "Dude, you literally just met her." A part of me expected (or wanted) Sarah to laugh in his face only because it was weird.

I've stumbled upon guys like Angel in YA fiction enough to recognize the type - intense, territorial, intimidating.
I liked the guy a fair amount but the whole deal with being over-protective (some would say possessive) and jealous just overtook him. It always does.
I'm the first to fall for a protective guy but there's a difference between caring for my safety and wanting to break a guy that's bothering me in half the first time you meet me.

(I'm reluctantly refraining from mentioning Angel's over-usage of "babe" and "baby." Let's just leave it at that.)

Characters I did like were Angel's friends - Eric and Romero, these guys were a lot of fun with hilarious dialogue. I actually laughed out loud a couple of times and I might pick up 'Sweet Sophie' (an installment in 'The Moreno Brothers' series) because it centers around Sophie and Eric. Sophie and Valerie were also great, so this was an awesome bunch of secondary characters.

I liked that Sarah, our heroine, had some backbone to her. She didn't pale next to a forceful hero. If there was anything, the girl could've made some better decisions. Not only with what she kept from Angel that you knew would blow up in her face and end up a big mess, but also the deal with the coach. Though, more common sense would've prevented any conflict in the story at all.

The plot line in 'Forever Mine' is simple and was incredibly predictable. As I went I figured everything out way before it occurred. Basically, everything you suspect is going to go down, will, and exactly like that.

Had I not grabbed this book for free, I probably wouldn't have picked it up but it was generally an okay read. Reyes' writing is simple and I'd recommend this book to fans of Simone Elkeles.

(3/5)

Review: A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

Title: A Beautiful Dark (#1)

Author: Jocelyn Davies

Published: September 27, 2011

Pages: 405

Series: yes (second installment 'A Fractured Light' published September 25, 2012)

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: On the night of Skye’s seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites—like fire and ice—Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye’s life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move—only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events.
Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can’t help falling for, and Devin, who she can’t stay away from, the consequences of Skye’s choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

**REVIEW**

I went into 'A Beautiful Dark' with ease and fair interest. It was definitely fast-paced, things came about quickly in the beginning and characters were introduced right away.

My first thought was that Asher and Devin were everywhere. There they were from chapter one and then just.. everywhere. I found there was no time to really get to know them and have them grow on you before they were all in your face.

The boys, without a proper get-to-know-each-other conversation whatsoever, spoke to Skye and made constant comments to her as if they knew her after only one day at their new school. Although Asher and Devin were supposed to be complete strangers to Skye, she'd respond in the same manner. It just wasn't natural and felt manufactured.

Asher and Devin seemed to appear every nanosecond, wherever Skye turned, and I didn't understand why she immediately got so incredibly hung up on them.

At first I found that Asher and Devin's differing characteristics were very forced. We have the good guy and the bad boy and it was especially forced how they were clearly pushed to be total opposites with everything that they did.

Later on, you'll be enlightened why this was the case, but despite the gained understanding of it, it was just one of those things that were pretty typical.

Unfortunately both characters were just too obvious. They felt very head-on and decided. Rather than being charming it was as if they were told to be charming, if that makes sense.

I hate it when I don't have anything to say about the protagonist other than that they were all right. Though I think Skye needed to get her reactions checked. When Asher showed Skye his power (way before she knew anything about him or Devin) she hardly had any reaction to it, like what he could do wasn't strange at all. It was the same when she found out about her parents, she isn't bewildered or upset, instead she takes it all very smoothly.

The plot line in 'A Beautiful Dark' wasn't unheard of. Sadly, little made it original or fresh.

The big portion of the book when Skye's trying to find her powers didn't really go anywhere. I didn't get to the point of feeling it was boring but it was repetitive and refrained the story from moving forward.

I was pretty surprised to be closing in on the ending without having anything significant and conflicting occur. And then suddenly the storyline that had been somewhat uneventful until then, stirred up and there was excitement, action, and shock.

I was pleasantly shocked by the twist at the end, and I freaking loved it. Honestly, I didn't think 'A Beautiful Dark' had it in it. Up until then I didn't think I'd read the second installment (which is ironic since it was the description of the sequel that had me read the first book) but I might all because of the ending.

(3.5/5)

Review: Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Title: Love Story

Author: Jennifer Echols

Published: July 19, 2011

Pages: 256

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions—it’s her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family’s racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin’s college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she’s sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He’s joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin’s heart with longing. Now she’s not just imagining what might have been. She’s writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

**REVIEW**

I re-read 'Love Story' to write this review and despite the year long gap I still don't feel any differently about it, and I actually thought I would. 

I remember reading the synopsis for this book (before it was out) and how attracted I was to the plot - it was fresh and simple and could go in just about any direction with, not only Echols's imagination, but the characters' as well.

I usually feel a little strange about novels featuring aspiring writers - you know, the thought of an author writing about someone wanting to be an author. Usually it makes me crinkle my nose a little, though, Echols writes about it in a polished and believable way and I actually really enjoyed reading about the creative writing class and the students' discussions and critiques. It was very interesting and organic.

The narrator wasn't particularly to my liking. Erin was made of assumptions, she would assume this, assume that.. believe things I absolutely wouldn't have made the connection to on my own and that seemed to only birth unnecessary drama and tension, or lead the reader astray.

The one example I can recall would be when Hunter wrote a story in which for the last millisecond of it it's mentioned that the boy spots a girl riding a horse down by the hills (or something along those lines) and that clearly translated to meaning that Hunter looked down on Erin, she thought.

A lot of times I found that Erin's line of thoughts were just far-fetched. I didn't understand her, she seemed confused.

Neither did I wrap my head around Erin and Hunter together. I can't particularly say it screamed romance. It was an odd relationship where they were supposed to be enemies but clearly couldn't keep out of each other's business.

I can't say if Hunter just wasn't the most charming guy or if it was Erin's point-of-view that had him not be the most charming guy, but he didn't really do it for me.

The college setting for this book was suitable and I found myself quite comfortable in it (tropical shower party, anyone?) As for the secondary characters, Summer was a breath of fresh air - energetic and blunt - and Manohar.. what can I say, the dude got on your nerves but I loved how much character he had. He definitely stood out and brought a lot of diversity.

The little twist in the plot did surprise me and I appreciated that, but it didn't have the time to rile up and become anything. Erin should've been outraged, walls should've been crumbling down. Or something, just something more.

Where 'Love Story' ended should've at least been the beginning of the last third of the story. There should've been a falling out and a chance of reconciliation and resolution. I won't say it was a bad ending, but it wasn't nearly thorough enough or complete so it's a good thing Echols knows impeccable writing.

(3/5)

Review: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Title: Twenty Boy Summer

Author: Sarah Ockler

Published: May 1, 2010

Pages: 320

Source: purchased

Amazon Summary: According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

**REVIEW**

Finally I got my hands on 'Twenty Boy Summer.' Coming-of-age, growing, learning, coping.. are words that come to mind when I think of the book.

I dislike saying "this book wasn't what I'd anticipated (or expected)" since that isn't really a fair statement, but I can't help myself and I say this regretfully.

There was no doubt that I so badly wanted to love 'Twenty Boy Summer', and I have loved it from afar and through wonderful reviews prior to reading it (maybe that was the problem). 

I wanted to fall hard for Matt and Anna and be wholeheartedly invested in what was lost or never explored, all the things they were and, most importantly, could have been. I wanted to be sad and heartbroken, but I wasn't really.

I think of 'In Honor' by Jessi Kirby where I fell in love with Honor's brother, Finn, who came alive through memories and thoughts, and how he truly captured by heart.

I wish I'd grown more attached to Matt, in whichever way - before he died, after he died. I would've liked to still be able to get to know him, have him grow on me and have my emotions grow for him, though, his death and the mention of him was mostly taboo and the Perino family were still trying to pick up the pieces he left behind - still breaking.

In other words, I had hoped 'Twenty Boy Summer' would've been more uplifting than.. forlorn, I guess, which brings me to the "twenty boys" plot - I hadn't known what to expect since, let's face it, twenty boys is a little excessive but I'd hoped it'd have a purpose of lighting up the story. Unfortunately, it didn't exactly and Frankie's twenty boys idea soon faded out of the picture.

At the end of the day it was Frankie who made an impression on me. I recognized her way of coping with Matt's absence, how it changed her and pushed her. Frankie acted out, yet it was clear how fragile she really was - you tiptoed in her presence as if she would shatter at any time.

I, honestly, had a difficult time putting myself in Anna's shoes, I couldn't really identify her. Anna wasn't there. Her mind was so diffused. And I really didn't comprehend the deal with Sam - he was perfectly sweet but it didn't feel right or somehow appropriate. I couldn't justify his spot in the storyline or if he actually contributed anything to the plot.

I appreciated the rough patch in Anna and Frankie's friendship. It was hugely needed - the girls desperately needed to blow off some steam. It was realistic and I was happy with the way 'Twenty Boy Summer' left off.

(3.2/5)